This time on Call Me Donovan, I’m catching you up on what’s been a hectic couple of weeks around here. First off, I quietly passed the two-year mark on my alcohol-free journey — 745 days and counting. But honestly, things have been such a blur lately I’m not even sure if I already mentioned that. My son Tyler came in from Seattle for one of his regular visits, and as usual, it turned into a bit of a workcation. Whenever he comes home, he asks what projects we can tackle together, and this time we had two big ones. The first was in our so-called “sunroom” — really the cat lounge at this point — where we had to replace a rotted bottom plate after my wife’s accident earlier this year. What should have been a quick repair turned into a comedy of missing tools, stubborn concrete, and way too many trips to Lowe’s. The second project was even more of an adventure: replacing siding on my office and shop building where years of water damage had taken its toll. Let’s just say spiral nails, uncooperative soffits, and old siding don’t come apart easily. We got it done though — with plenty of cuts, bruises, and sore muscles to show for it. In the end, despite the hard work, I had a blast working side-by-side with my son and daughter, doing something that didn’t involve screens or keyboards for a change. We’re already eyeing the next big job: completely rebuilding our back deck later this year. Along the way, I also talk a bit about old friends, the state of our social lives these days, and a little homebrew fix my wife came up with for improving audio in the podcast studio. As always, thanks for listening — and if you’ve got a message or story to share, drop me a voicemail or text. Until next time, take care and stay cool.

Picture of the podcasting table

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In this episode, I’m venting about something that’s been gnawing at me—how certain terms get hijacked and misused, particularly “anti-Semitism.” Lately, especially with Trump back in power and targeting DEI initiatives and college campuses, there’s this overuse of the term to label any criticism of the Israeli government as anti-Semitic. That’s not only lazy—it’s dishonest. Let me be clear: what Hamas did to Israel was horrific. They’re a terrorist organization, period. But criticizing the Israeli government’s response—especially the ongoing destruction and suffering in Gaza—doesn’t mean you’re anti-Semitic. Protesting for humanitarian reasons isn’t hate; it’s compassion. Being Palestinian doesn’t automatically make someone Hamas. And not every bombed building is a terrorist hideout. People—families—are dying, starving, and being displaced. I can support Jewish people and still oppose Israel’s policies. That’s not bigotry; it’s nuance. And frankly, I’m sick of the weaponization of language to shut down discourse. Words matter. Misusing “anti-Semitism” to score political points or silence protestors is not just misleading—it’s dangerous. That’s my pet peeve of the day. See you next time.

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Today’s episode is a bit more raw, a bit more unsettled. I start off just talking about the heat—because, yeah, it’s one of those Georgia scorchers—but it quickly shifts into something heavier. Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s the state of everything lately, but I’ve had this itch in the back of my mind that just won’t go away. A feeling that something’s not quite right, and hasn’t been for a while. I talk about hitting two years sober—my longest stretch without alcohol since I was a teenager. That’s a big deal for me. And yet, even with that personal win, I find myself looking out at the world and feeling... off. There's a heaviness. Maybe you’ve felt it too. I get into what’s been gnawing at me—news that former President Biden has advanced prostate cancer, and the circus that’s erupted around it. What should’ve been a private, human moment has turned into political theater. Accusations, conspiracies, investigations—none of it feels rooted in compassion anymore. It’s all noise. Then Trump, as usual, manages to stir the pot more with attacks on Springsteen, Kamala Harris, and anything that doesn’t bow to his ego. Somewhere along the way I ended up watching a video breaking down The Handmaid’s Tale—yeah, that one. And for the first time, I truly felt how close fiction and reality can run. Project 2025? Christian nationalism? The erosion of rights and freedoms I once believed were unshakable? It all feels a bit too close to the plot of Gilead for comfort. I don't think I’ve ever said it this clearly before, but I’m scared for the future of this country. Not in a dramatic way, but in that quiet, creeping kind of way. The kind that lives in your chest when you realize the cracks you dismissed before might actually be fractures now. It hurts to watch this American experiment falter. Still, I’m trying. Trying to hold on to some kind of hope. Trying to believe that those of us who care—really care—can still push back against the darkness. I want to know how you're feeling. Are you seeing the same things I’m seeing? Do you feel it too? Or maybe you’re seeing something I’ve missed. Let me know. You can always reach out. Seriously—I mean that. Drop a voicemail at callmedonovan.com/voicemail, send an email to [email protected], or even text me at 229-234-1307. This one’s heavy. But maybe that’s okay. Not every episode has to end on a high note. Sometimes it’s enough just to speak the truth as you feel it, and hope someone out there hears it. Take care. Talk soon.

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Hey folks, it’s Donovan—and in this episode, I’m admitting something big: I’m an information junkie. From obscure trivia to daily newsletters and news overload, I just can’t stop chasing info. But lately? I’ve hit a wall. My inbox looks like a digital garage sale of unread newsletters, and I’m starting to question how much I actually need to know. I talk about the evolution of info addiction—from the glory days of Slashdot and early blogs, to the rise of newsletters and the sneaky way they’ve taken over our inboxes. Spoiler alert: I’m deep in newsletter fatigue, and I bet some of you are too. I share how my daily scroll went from curiosity to chaos, why I can’t seem to hit “unsubscribe,” and ask—are we all just pretending to be more informed than we are? Let’s talk about it. Shoot me an email at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at voicecast.app/cmd. I want to hear how you’re handling the information tsunami. And hey, if you manage to listen all the way through without getting distracted by another notification, bless you. Stay curious, maybe unsubscribe from one thing—and I'll catch you next time.


Samuel’s Thoughts 169: Informed but Sane?!

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SPOILER ALERT: If you haven’t watched Pantheon on Netflix and don’t want ANY spoilers, then don’t listen to this episode yet. I do my best to not give away everything but there are certain plot points I have to discuss for the purpose of this episode’s direction. In the show Pantheon on Netflix, we have the story of Uploaded Intelligence, where people are able to upload themselves, their “intelligence”, into a computer. It’s a great show, but it did make me wonder the age old philosophical question: What makes us… us?

Enjoy my brain bleed for this episode!I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this subject. You can email me at [email protected] or you can leave a voicemail by visiting https://voicecast.app/cmd.

If you would rather text, that number is 229-234-1307.

Pantheon (TV series) - Wikipedia

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After an exhausting day of work on Thursday, my Friday morning did not start out in the best of ways. I’m tired. I’m sore. People piss me off. It’s Pi Day. Whatever else I can b***h and gripe about. Welcome to my venting episode.Contact Informationemail: [email protected]/Insta/Threads: donadkissonBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/callmedonovan.comPodcast theme music by Transistor.fm. (Intro music)Outro Music generated by Mubert https://mubert.com/render---Be sure to subscribe to my Substack to stay up to date with non-podcast related "stuff".

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Hey, y'all! It's me, Donovan, and welcome back to Call Me Donovan. Today marks 648 days of alcohol retirement for me, and man... what a time to be sober! As I'm recording this, it's March 5th, 2025, the day after Trump’s marathon State of the Union address (two hours, really?). But honestly, I don't even watch those things anymore—no matter who's in office.This episode is me just talking through some of the heavy stuff that's been weighing on my mind. It's getting harder and harder to navigate modern life without getting totally burnt out by the endless political chaos. Staying informed feels like a must, but damn, it's exhausting. Between social media echo chambers, nonstop bad news, and watching the erosion of what we thought were "unshakable" checks and balances, it's enough to fry anybody's brain.I'm sharing my own struggle with trying to balance staying aware without letting it drag me into despair. I talk about the voices I trust online (shoutout to Philip DeFranco, Luke Beasley, Jesse Dollemore, and David Pakman) and how I'm managing my mental health while living in South Georgia, where talking politics is its own kind of minefield.Plus, I really want to know—how are you getting through all of this? How are you protecting your peace, staying healthy, and managing your vices when the world feels like it's spinning off its axis? I’d love to hear your thoughts.Thanks for hanging out with me. If you enjoyed the episode, check out all of our other shows over at TiftonMediaWorks.com.Contact Informationemail: [email protected]/Insta/Threads: donadkissonBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/callmedonovan.comPodcast theme music by Transistor.fm. (Intro music)Outro Music generated by Mubert https://mubert.com/render---Be sure to subscribe to my Substack to stay up to date with non-podcast related "stuff".

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Hey everybody, I know it's been a while, but I’m back with a new episode! Today, I’m just checking in, reflecting on 634 days of alcohol retirement, and testing out my new AirPods—so forgive me if the audio quality is crap. It’s another rainy day in South Central Georgia, and the winter weather has been a wild roller coaster.I also talk about some upcoming projects, including another episode of SouthGeek News with Ben Rehberg, dropping this Friday. If you're into tech and want a peek behind the scenes, check out SouthGeekNews.com.Of course, I couldn’t avoid diving into some political thoughts—because, let’s be honest, how can we ignore what’s happening? From the latest executive order that’s got me worried about the future of democracy to my not-so-fond opinions on Elon Musk and the current state of the country, I don’t hold back. If you’re looking for a laugh (or maybe a cry), check out TrumpGolfTrack.com for a ridiculous stat on how much golf is being played in the White House.On a personal note, I’m nearing my two-year sobriety mark in May, and I share a bit about my journey. If you're on your own path to sobriety, I hope it's going well for you, too.So, buckle up for a mix of reflections, rants, and real talk. Until next time, take care of yourself and your loved ones. Be well!Contact Informationemail: [email protected]/Insta/Threads: donadkissonBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/callmedonovan.comPodcast theme music by Transistor.fm. (Intro music)Outro Music generated by Mubert https://mubert.com/render---Be sure to subscribe to my Substack to stay up to date with non-podcast related "stuff".

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I don’t know if it’s my empathetic side, my adversarial side, or just my intolerance for injustice—but I despise lies. And right now, the lies aren’t even hidden. They’re right in front of us, and far too many people are letting them slide.In this episode, I dive into the realities we’re facing in 2025. The economy, the border, inflation—there are truths here, but they’re being drowned out by manufactured crises and political spin. What’s worse? The people who should be standing up and calling b******t… aren’t.We talk about what’s really happening, what history shows us, and why it’s past time to demand truth. If you’ve ever felt like you’re screaming into the void, you’re not alone.Let’s break it down. Let’s get real.Contact Informationemail: [email protected]/Insta/Threads: donadkissonBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/callmedonovan.comPodcast theme music by Transistor.fm. (Intro music)Outro Music generated by Mubert https://mubert.com/render---Be sure to subscribe to my Substack to stay up to date with non-podcast related "stuff".

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It’s January 22, 2025 and we have snow! Snow, in South Central Georgia! WTF? LOLIt’s also day 606 of alcohol retirement. But snow!Also, I tell you a story about an accident my wife had this past Sunday. Not going to lie; it scared me. Pictures of my back yard with snow!Contact Informationemail: [email protected]/Insta/Threads: donadkissonBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/callmedonovan.comPodcast theme music by Transistor.fm. (Intro music)Outro Music generated by Mubert https://mubert.com/render---Be sure to subscribe to my Substack to stay up to date with non-podcast related "stuff".

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